Rep. Eric Cantor Climbs GOP Ladder; The sole Jewish member of the House Republican Caucus, Rep. Eric Cantor impresses observers with his solid conservative values and strong leadership

0 Comments | Insight on the News, Nov 10, 2003

Q: School choice is a very important issue for you. But a lot of the Jewish groups, such as the Religious Action Center of

Reform Judaism, oppose this policy, saying vouchers or tax credits violate separation of church and state. What is the message you would take to the Jewish community about school choice?

A: I'd take the same message to the Jewish community that I would tell anybody else. And that is, parents know their children best and what is best for their education. I've got three kids. They're 9, 10 and 12. Each is so different, and they all have their own challenges and their own attributes. Parents should be put back in the driver's seat.

We ought not to be relying upon bureaucrats in Richmond for Virginia residents or here in Washington on a national basis. Parents ought to have more accountability and be more in control. And we ought to do whatever we can here in Washington to provide an incentive for parents to do that.

That's why I think we should provide parents with a tax credit for education. I don't care whether their child goes to public school, because all of mine go to public school, or whether they go to private school, parochial school or even if they homeschool their kids. That's a parent's prerogative. That's the message I offer. If a parent feels that parochial education is what is best for their child, give them the ability to provide that.

Q: Did you go to a Christian parochial school?

A: I went to a nonsectarian school, although it was Protestant-based. So we had chapel every day with services and very rarely was it led by a Jewish religious leader. I think this strengthened my faith. It made me aware of my faith and helped me identify with it. I also think it was a good experience to see other faiths in that type of intimate environment.

I remember I used to come in on Passover and explain about matzo and the observance of the holiday. The school generally was receptive to that type of thing and encouraged it. At the same time, there were religious festivities and observances that went on in that school all the time that were not of my religion, and I was able to witness and learn from that as well.

Q: What denomination of Judaism are you?

A: I grew up Conservative, and I probably tend a little bit more on the observant side than the nonobservant. I keep a modified kosher. I don't eat any unkosher meat, and I don't eat any pork or shellfish. That makes a little bit of a challenge when I'm on the campaign trail, but it probably keeps me a little healthier too.

Q: Could school choice help Jewish day schools?

A: Certainly. True, the Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism is against it. But the Orthodox Union is one of the most active here in Washington supporting school choice. So there really isn't a monolithic Jewish position.

As a matter of fact, there is no monolithic Jewish position on anything. The closest you get is Israel. I think probably 99 percent of American Jews support a strong U.S.-Israel relationship. But many of us share cultural values. As the only Republican Jew in the House, it gives me a particular opportunity to take the Republican message of individual opportunity and respect for the family and individual out to the public, where such ideas are especially attractive.